Chapter 2 – The Dark Koopa Returns
The dragons have finished packing up camp following their trout lunch. Cynder continued to watch across the distance, but it is not the premonitions she was focusing on this time. She was checking for a potential location to set up their village.
"I think across the lake, we'll be able to find a reclusive area," she said as she pointed over to the direction she was staring.
"The foliage ahead looks very thick," said Percival. "It might just be the right spot."
"One I hope for is that we won't run into any poison ivy," said Jakkin. "That stuff itches like hell, and if you scratch on where you got affected, let me tell ya, ya have no idea how unpleasant and painful it is."
"Relax, Jakkin," said Torden. "I'm sure we won't come across any poison ivy."
"Well, they are just as common in Japan as they are in America," replied Jakkin. "Believe me, I know."
Lily looked to another direction and noticed something unusual. "Uh, guys," she said nervously. "Take a look what's going on over there!"
The dragons turned to where Lily was facing, and saw that the bushes were rustling. They readied themselves, anticipating something to come out and attack. In an instant, a large, bulky figure emerged from the bushes. Draco got excited when he saw who it was.
"It's Bowser!" he exclaimed happily. "I can't believe he's here!"
Draco was about to rush towards his friend, when Cynder stopped him. "Hold on a second, Draco!" she warned. "There's something not right about Bowser! Take a look at him!"
At that moment, Draco stopped feeling very confused at Cynder's warning. Bowser looked normal to him since he usually had a gruff exterior, or so he thought, but what he didn't notice was that Bowser's eyes were different due to being affected by Vildouleur's mind control spell. They were blanked out and he had thick dark outlines around them.
Bowser fixated his sights on the six dragons. "Must destroy enemies of the Dark Queen," he uttered in a menacing tone.
"What the…?" Draco and Cynder exclaimed in bewilderment.
Swiftly, Bowser charged straight at the dragons. Realising that they're in trouble, the dragons quickly ran for their lives to the other end.
"Run faster, guys!" exclaimed Torden as he looked backwards. "He's gaining on us!"
"Let's sure hope there's nothing else blocking the other way!" panted Percival. Unfortunately, he had spoken too soon, for coming from the other end were the Pyre Squad trio.
"No, not those three again!" panicked Darky.
"This is the end of the line for you, punks!" hissed Ciara.
"We have been waiting for you," said Scorcher, and he saw Bowser coming from behind the dragons. "And so is he!"
The dragons looked to the other end, and noticed that Bowser had caught up with them. They thought about flying away, but they didn't dare in case the Pyre Squad were armed with something that would trap them. It was then when they realised that they are surrounded.
"It's all over!" bellowed Bowser. "Make it easy for you now and give up, or else!"
"This doesn't make any sense at all," said Cynder, feeling even more confused. "Bowser has teamed up with the Pyre Squad?"
"I don't get it either," said Draco, feeling very disbelieved. "It's like if he's back to his old self when he was after Princess Peach and tried to take over the Mushroom Kingdom back in his world."
"Something tells me that the Pyre Squad must have done something to him," said Cynder. "Like maybe they have brainwashed him or something."
"If that's the case, then he needs to fight it!" exclaimed Torden.
"Ready to attack, Bowser?" called the Pyre Squad. "Let's get them!"
Bowser and the Pyre Squad charged towards the cowering dragons, ready to deliver the finishing blow. Suddenly, the brooches began to glow, engulfing Cynder, Jakkin, Lily, Torden, and Percival into their respected shields. This made the five dragons realised that the brooches are calling them to use their enhanced powers. Quickly, they responded, and in a flash, all except Draco and Darky transformed.
"The five of you may have transformed, but with Bowser on our side, we can take you out!" scoffed Ciara.
"I wouldn't count on it," said Alpha Cynder. She turned to her four transformed friends. "Guys, let's give it our best shot!"
The five dragons battled the Pyre Squad and the possessed Bowser while Draco and Darky looked on. They seemed evenly matched, since although Bowser was powerful, it wasn't enough to take down any one of the dragons enhanced by their Elemental Brooches, let alone a group of five.
"That impossible!" exclaimed Cronk. "There's no way they could have gotten that strong!"
"It's the fact that they're using teamwork," said Scorcher. "This is not good."
"Time to take care of them once and for all!" declared Torden. "You guys ready?"
"We're ready!" cried the other dragons.
But just when they were about to defeat the Pyre Squad and Bowser, a sudden explosion burst right in between the parties. After the dust settled, the dragons noticed that their foes have disappeared.
"Where – where did they go?" asked Cynder as she reverted back to her normal form. The other dragons have returned to their regular forms too.
"I have no idea," replied Jakkin as he looked around for Bowser or the Pyre Squad. "They were just standing there, and as soon as that mysterious explosion, they just vanished, as if it was magic. As a matter of fact, I don't even know where the explosion came from."
Cynder examined where the explosion set off, "One thing I noticed was that a burst of energy that triggered the explosion came from above," she said as she looked up to the sky. "But, I don't see anyone up there at all."
"This is getting very weird," commented Percival.
"Oh, well," said Torden. "I think it will be best that we continue on our search for wherever we'll set up our village."
Cynder turned to Draco and Darky, who were feeling very shocked and heartbroken after seeing Bowser attempting to attack them. She could understand how they must have felt.
"I'm very sorry for what happened to Bowser, you two," said Cynder. "Whatever they did, we'll find a way to bring him back to normal."
"I certainly hope so, Cynder," said Draco sadly as Darky mounted on his back.
The dragons readied themselves and took off into the sky. Little did they was that a dark figure had been watching them from afar. It was Queen Vildouleur, who was witnessing the whole battle between them, the Pyre Squad and Bowser. The Obsidian Devourer queen grimaced menacingly, pondering over the fight.
"That was a little too close for comfort," she said to herself. "Those dragons are lot stronger than I had anticipated. Still, I could only wonder why that Charizard hasn't managed to transform like the others did."
Queen Vildouleur continued to watch the dragons fly off across the horizon. She could sense that they are looking for a place to rest. An evil grin crossed her face as she figured out her next move.
"No matter," she cackled wickedly. "I'll strike when they're tired and unable to fight. Destroying them all will be an easy victory, and as for Bowser, I shall destroy him too once he's no longer of use for me!"